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Bryan Erstad sprints home to score during the Class AAA state championship game. John M. Steiner / The Sun1 / 5

Jared Purdy (31) and Turner Storm (59) of the Merchangts congratulate Tony Viger (10) and Bryan Erstad after scoring during Sunday's Class AAA state championship game against the Elks. Also shown is Preston Jensen (34). John M. Steiner / The Sun2 / 5

Boya Quichocho (13) looks for the call after being tagged out by third baseman Brady Anderson. John M. Steiner / The Sun3 / 5

But he did as the Merchants defeated the Mayville Redcaps 10-3 in eight innings, and the Jamestown Elks 11-2 in the nine-inning title tilt. Hirchert was the winning pitcher in both games, allowing just two runs on five hits with nine strikeouts in the marathon afternoon on the mound.

"Absolutely it's worth it. It's a great feeling for our team," said Hirchert, who began his college career at then Jamestown College. "I love pitching here. It's definitely my favorite park to pitch in. It could possibly be my last tournament, you never know."

Hirchert and his wife are moving to Minneapolis in two weeks, although he's hopeful of continuing his career with the Merchants.

"I already talked to the wife about it, so hopefully we can work it out," he said.

Hirchert's heroics almost never happened.

In the first game on Sunday, the Mayville Redcaps were 90 feet from eliminating the Merchants. Called on in relief, Hirchert got the now nine-time Class AAA champs out of a major jam in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the eighth, they erupted for seven runs. Another seven-run inning—this time in the top of the ninth against the Elks—sealed the deal.

"It definitely was not an easy or pretty weekend of baseball for us, but the bottom line is we got it done," said Merchants manager Bryan Erstad, who had two hits in both games Sunday. "This is the first tournament we've won all summer. It's a great feeling to be back in Jamestown and win."

The Merchants banged out 13 hits against the Elks. When 7-hole hitter Dan Ross clubbed a grand slam in the top of the ninth, the title for the Miller Lite sponsored squad was on tap.

"What can you say? You never know who is going to step up. We got a lot of contributions up and down the lineup and our pitching was great all weekend," Erstad said. "To be able to beat two good teams like Mayville and the Elks in a couple of tough ballgames, I'm really proud of the guys. We'll be back next year to try it again."

The Elks, who outscored their two opponents 16-3 on Saturday thanks to strong pitching from Cole Torgerson and Ryan Iliff, were the defending Class AAA champions.